June | 2007 | Amalgam Digital Blog

Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down Artist: iCON The Mic King Interviewer: Tommy Faone

Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down

Interviewed by Tommy Faone 06-17-07

AmalgamDigital.com: What up Icon how you living?

Icon The Mic King: I guess you could say I’m living extra medium. Not quite large yet but I’m doing my thing. I’m busy preparing the next wave of music and just trying to get my money right so I can achieve some more of my goals. A couple of webzines have me writing for them now, check out my myspace and see what I’m talking about.

AmalgamDigital.com: You have a new album out now “Mike and the Fatman” on Uprising Records. Now this is your first nationally distributed album so how is it been received in your eyes?

Icon The Mic King: Actually “Intricate Spectrum” was nationally-distributed via Revolver so it’s not the first. It’s the first one with any type of press behind it and advertisements so it’s my first instance of dealing with that stuff. The fans are loving it, the press is mostly positive. I’m happy about all of that but I just wish there was more of it. The record has been out for 3 months now and it seems like everything is over already.

AmalgamDigital.com: Do you have plans to tour the US to promote it?

Icon The Mic King: I just did a tour with Souls of Mischief and I’m going back out with them in a few weeks. I’m definitely trying to do as many dates as possible to spread the word about the record and the upcoming renaissance in hiphop. I love to perform, I’ve only been off the road for a few weeks and I’m missing it so much right now. I can’t wait to go back out.

AmalgamDigital.com: I know you have done numerous projects in the past with Beyond Space Entertainment. How has that experience been for you?

Icon The Mic King: I did a few compilation appearances with them before I released “Intricate Spectrum” with them. It was a pretty good look because they helped keep my phone on and my rent paid a few times. They helped keep my name alive between releases I got love for Tony at Beyond Space. Shouts to him, holler at me if you wanna get some more money kid!

AmalgamDigital.com: So you did a huge tour of Europe late last year. First of all how was the response? And do you have plans to go over again any time soon?

Icon The Mic King: Performing in Europe changed my life and with the support of indie rap essentially dwindling in America, a lot of my focus is on doing things to make me more valuable in the overseas markets. I’d never truly give up on America but I think I could spend half the year out there doing great shows. Basically they showed a lot of love over there and I saw things I’ve only seen in history books before so I’m trying to go back immediately. Dos-Noun is working on setting up our next tour over there for the fall so hit him up if you want to bring us to your city-state.

AmalgamDigital.com: What is your favorite place you have ever performed and that you would consider going back too? And Why?

Icon The Mic King: My favorite place so far would have to be Athens, Greece. It was just such an ill city and we opened for Premier and he showed so much love and it was just a fun night. The Greeks know how to party. Domestically everything is so hit or miss, I’ve had some of my best and worst shows everywhere. This dichotomy is especially evident here in the City of Brotherly Hate.

AmalgamDigital.com: So we were out a Scribble Jam a couple of years ago when you knocked out Copyright in front of Annie’s so have you always been a fighter? Or did he just really have it coming?

Icon The Mic King: I’m not a fighter; I’m more a person who reacts. I’m too handsome to be trying to run around fighting all these ugly rappers. At the same time I’m from North Philly, I have a short temper (it’s getting better) and if you say the wrong thing to me I will most likely fight you. Pete just had it coming. I heard he got lumped up again about a week ago, he should stop drinking.

AmalgamDigital.com: With hip hop in drought who is it that you have playing in your I Pod?

Icon The Mic King: Pharoahe Monch, Ghostface, Dos-Noun, Awar, Diabolic, Silent Knight, Emilio Rojas, PackFM, iCON the Mic King, Yarah Bravo, Breezly Brewin, Chum beats, Alicia Keys, Musiq Soulchild, John Legend

AmalgamDigital.com: Any further collaborations or projects in the works that we can look forward to?

Icon The Mic King: Chum and I are working on some new stuff, I got a record in the works called “The Season of our Discontent” produced by this kid named Blastah Beatz, and I’m kicking around some things to do an electronica record. Other than that Rent Money Music 2 should be out soon, just waiting for it to come back from press.

AmalgamDigital.com: Any last comments or shout outs?

Icon The Mic King: Yeah, the renaissance is coming. Hip-Hop is about to go to the next level in 2008, it’s up to you to do your part and support the emcees that can actually rap and make good music. The fans are what determine where we are going in the future. Hip-Hop is not some entity that we have no control over, it is up to us to take back control of this music and lead it into the future. Stay tuned to what I’m doing, I will walk with y’all into the promise land. Shout out to my peoples. Shout out to my girl, I love you more than I can express in this interview. Shout out to Amalgam Digital for helping to bring me out of the shadows. Shout out to DJ Next, lemme know when you ready to make some money fam. Peace. www.myspace.com/iconthemicking

American Hero…Never A Zero! Artist: American Hero Interviewer: Ol’ Dirty Nav aka The #1 Groupie Bitch

American Hero and The Secret Life of Porch Monkeys

Interviewed by Ol’ Dirty Nav aka The #1 Groupie Bitch 06-16-07

AmalgamDigital.com: First and foremost how exactly would you describe your music and the different experimental routes you have taken to shape yourself as a true artist?

American Hero: I would describe my music as… well good music, I use the techniques of hip hop sampling and the tradition of actual music, live horn, live guitar, live bass, etc. to create a sonic canvas that I feel comfortable in and then begin to paint a picture with my words.

AmalgamDigital.com: Your new album “SecretLife of PorchMonkeys”, describe it for me in a few words or more then a few if you would like.

American Hero: SecretLife is an EP in the true since I wanted to experiment with these new sounds and production techniques and vocal style. We live a post ipod, post download world so as much as I would like to I don’t think indie artists have the luxury of making concept albums. We have to be able to appeal to the broad taste of the listener who is only buying a song or two that they like, the listener moves from genre to genre so what I did was try to make an album like a “mix” someone would burn from their computer.

AmalgamDigital.com: I am a personal fan of your song “No War” the drums set the initial mood that does not seem like it would fit with the aggressive guitar riff and then the horns come in begin taking you through a musical journey, it is a very live sounding song. What song would you particularly favor on this album and why?

American Hero: I am kinda in love with NoWar myself; the concept was originally for a whole other song and when it didn’t work we almost abandon it. Then I was driving down i-5 while listening to the beats one day in between NPR and I just started chanting “NoWar”, I pulled over and wrote it at a gas station near Sea-tac airport.

AmalgamDigital.com: Last summer you performed on the Warped Tour with the Truth Orange Road Crew a crew part of the organization whose mission is to promote tobacco industry awareness mainly to today’s youth, what was one of the best experiences that you got out of that and how strongly do you feel for promoting that message to today’s teens?

American Hero: The best thing I got from that was seeing the USA. We went to 46 markets and I got to see what the people looked like in New Mexico, North Carolina, Miami, Texas, etc. I think artists don’t really know the power we have and when u can use that power to save a life why not? All we did was promote the power of choice, to think and that all I do, lay out the truth to best of my knowledge and let the listener think.

AmalgamDigital.com: What other issues in society would you like to touch on through your music/movies/productions or with a general presence and voice in the media?

American Hero: I seem to have been dealing with my own issues as of late but what I tell people is that my music usually revolves around Politics, family and/ or Women. As for my production work I just work with people I feel who are usually somewhat like minded. As for the film thing I am a vessel to tell some one else’s story.

AmalgamDigital.com: Tell me a little bit about this movie coming out in the 2008 season.

American Hero: It’s a feature film/Mock Doc in which I play the lead character AJ who is a kid trying to find himself. What follows is the official tag line:

A.J.’s real name is Ajamu Talib (played by Ayinde Howell). His dislike for his African name is the least of his problems, still it says a lot about him. Brooklyn born and bred yet outcast by his peers, his only escape was music. A.J. found freedom in rock n roll.

Tight clothes, straightened hair, popular with girls and partying every night, he is fully entrenched, in the debaucherous New York rock n roll scene. For once he feels like everyone else. Well almost.

He begins to find that his chosen community, the white rock world, only seems to run smoothly for white rockers. A series of events force him to recognize his friends both exotify him and are in denial of his blackness. Black, but not “really” black.

What’s a young black rocker to do?

AmalgamDigital.com: You seem to travel a lot between New York, Seattle and LA, what vibes are you getting from each area now?

American Hero: I feel like New York is finally coming back to life, I felt it was a waste land of posers for quite a while but there is life bubblin out there musically and in the indie film market.

LA is on some ish! I played out there earlier this year and met some of the dopest people and the music scene is pretty progressive. Seattle is very organic and creative as usual but not really up on the new new ish yet but I do shows in the 206 regularly to keep them up on things.

AmalgamDigital.com: Between these areas what would you say the similarities and vice versa are in the music scene at the present time?

American Hero: Think I got that one up top

AmalgamDigital.com: With the many changes in the music/entertainment industry as of today, where would you like to see yourself go with this album and movie?

American Hero: I would like to go overseas Europe, Japan, UK, Africa, and then back to the U.S. while Secretlife is on a small but digitally minded indie with a marketing budget. I think the new move is to be the everything artist, that’s why I brand my self as the “quadruple threat” MC/Producer/Writer/Actor and I try to be really good at all of them. As for the film even though the film industry is opening up more with new technology it is still gonna do what it does because the film industry has a union, music does not.

AmalgamDigital.com: So to tie in with the first question your music proves you to be pretty experimental and creative, any younger day experiences for you personally that inspired that in you and who would you say have been some of your biggest influences?

American Hero: There was a lot of music in my home mostly funk disco, blues, jazz, reggae, dub, and some rock. My parents were at the time disco party promoters. With a crew of 8 dj’s along with my mom being at every party until the morning I was born, I was deemed the “Funk Baby” …My biggest influence is my life, the craziest things happen to me and I just sit back and watch and write about it.

Gettin’ Right with Benzi Artist: DJ Benzi Interviewer: Tony Lena

Gettin’ It Right with Benzi

Interviewed by Tony Lena 06-15-07

AmalgamDigital.com: What up Benzi? How you living?

Dj Benzi: I’m great, grinding non-stop on a bunch of projects and not looking back!

AmalgamDigital.com: You have been making some real noise recently with your work with The Clipse, Lil Wayne’s “None Higher”, your 12” single and Get Right Radio. So what’s the master plan, have you always wanted to create albums and mash ups or is DJ’ing and live shows more where your heart is at?

Dj Benzi: At first I was more into Djing live and doing clubs and parties but now I get the biggest rush on making original remixes and new tracks. There’s something about creating something original that is irreplaceable. Down the line I plan to take a year and focus on performing live but now my heart is in making dope music.

AmalgamDigital.com: With the way things have changed in the mix tape game over the past couple of years your “We Got the Remix” series has been a breathe of fresh air of late. It is very interesting how you have blended the hipster club beats of Diplo, ATrak & Nick Catchdubs to name a few with some of commercial hip hop’s finest (Lil Wayne & Clipse). Where did you come with the idea to make the two world’s collide?

Dj Benzi: In my free time that’s the kind of music I listen to the dance/club stuff and the trend has been heading towards the meshing of the two worlds for a few years now. With the Clipse project there was no plan to mesh anything it just happened, and looking back on it I think it was a great platform on how I want all my projects to feel in the future.

AmalgamDigital.com: So I picked up the Next 100 issue of URB Magazine the other day and I saw your name on the front cover. Congratulations on that. How did that come about?

Dj Benzi: Urb reached out to me earlier in the year and mentioned the Next 100 issue and doing a piece on me and I was blown away. For years now I’ve been buying that issue and looking for names and people I know, so to be featured in it is a great look. I hope to do more with URB in the future and someday look for me on the cover!

AmalgamDigital.com: Do you have any plans to work with any other Next 100 artist such as Kid Sister, Flosstradamus, Cool Kids that seem to be heading in a similar direction as you?

Dj Benzi: Yea they are good people and located close to me so were in the same state of mind on things. We got a few things were working on for the album and can’t wait to see how they will turn out. Just wait for 2008 when the Kid Sister / Floss / Benzi / Cool Kids Takeover occurs!

AmalgamDigital.com: So you have you’re debut album entitled “Get Right” dropping in late 2007 on the Amalgam label. What can we expect?

Dj Benzi: First off you can expect a real solid album. Even if I got a feature from the biggest rapper in the world and he just mailed it in, I wouldn’t just toss in on the album. I got an idea in my head of the project and from what we’ve put together so far its gonna be really fresh. For the most part you can expect to see rappers you’ve liked for years and some fresh faces over tons of dope and cutting edge beats. The meshing of the club culture with the streets and back again.

AmalgamDigital.com: Any ideas of what the first single might be?

Dj Benzi: The first single will be a summer jam that will be perfect for the dance floors and barbeques and will be an instant hit. With the b-side being a classic hip-hop posse cut. But I can’t let too many details seep out on that one just yet.

AmalgamDigital.com: I understand you are going to be doing some exclusive Benzi presents Special edition Podcasts here on www.AmalgamDigital.com What can we expect to hear? More of Benzi the DJ or Benzi the producer?

Dj Benzi: I hope you hear mass amount of both! The DJing stuff I knock out in my free time and still immensely enjoy, while I’m taking the producing end of things like a 9-5. The podcasts are a great way to test out new material and play people what I’ve been jamming to recently and look forward for people to hear them.

AmalgamDigital.com: So who is “the dream collaboration” for DJ Benzi? You have done Lil Wayne & Diplo / Clipse & The Amps / who would be your most sought after artists to remix /work with and why?

Dj Benzi: There’s lots of artists I have my eye on but the whole Good Music camp is people I would really like to collab with. I think Kanye, Common, & Sa-Ra are the types of artists that are open to new things and would fully embrace what I’m setting out to do.

AmalgamDigital.com: Any last words or shout outs?

Dj Benzi: Watch for the album, single, podcasts and the upcoming promo mix featuring some new joints and remixes entitled Get Right Radio (The Summer Edition) with my man Sean Kingston dropping real soon, and check out djbenzi.com for updates on all that. And shouts to whole Amalgam staff for all the opportunities and for this interview.

UndergroundHipHop’s Sleezy Trees Puts It On Amy Winehouse Artist: Sleezy Trees Interviewer: Ritz Carlton

UndergroundHipHop’s Sleezy Trees Puts It On Amy Winehouse

Interviewed by Ritz Carlton 06-11-07

AmalgamDigital.com: What’s the worst part of working with Quest over at ughh.com all day?

Sleezy Trees: Well, there’s a few things that drive me crazy about the dude but the one thing that is most suspect? He uses mad hand lotion. And not just cheap stuff, he buys like the fruity melon scented, papaya-infused $36 Bath and Bodyworks lotion. He could lubricate the chassis of Volvo just by rubbing his hand over it.

AmalgamDigital.com: What’s the worst in-store you ever hosted at the physical ughh?

Sleezy Trees: Anyone involved with the Dipset.

AmalgamDigital.com: What did you learn from hanging out with Este Uno and DJ Next for a week in Texas?

Sleezy Trees: I learned that Evidence of Dilated met some chick from the ughh.com forums and dated her for a few years. She’s hot though. Big up Evidence. Fuck Este, dude is mad self-conscious.

AmalgamDigital.com: At one point, you were completely obsessed with Amy Winehouse. Have there been any developments in your celebrity/stalker relationship?

Sleezy Trees: I actually ran into those two gay black dudes that perform along side of her and hit on them so I could get their card. It worked, we’ve been talking back and forth and yes I’m planning on sleeping with both of them. No I’m not gay! It’s really just to get me in good with Winehouse. One day I’ll slither away from those dudes and right into her soiled panties. I will play xylophone on those big yellow chompers with my Irish wang. She’s a goddess. Any bitch with a horseshoe tattoo I pretty much have to fuck eventually. Peace to crack rock.

AmalgamDigital.com: What’s the weirdest part of living with a kid named “Knife”?

Sleezy Trees: Knife is a legend. He drinks a four pack of Guinness religiously before bed every night like clockwork. Sometimes he goes on drug/ alcohol binges and he’ll wake up all bloody and scabbed over. I guess the weirdest part of living with him was when he turned 30, he cleared out all these toys and hip hop posters from his room and hung up a bunch of African masks around the apartment. When I expressed interest in taking the toys he realized he had made a horrible mistake and rifled through them again, picking out the best ones. He ended up leaving me with a Stegosaurus made out of clay, that robot from the 3D Michael Jackson movie that they play at Epcot Center, a Voltron pencil sharpener, and one of the Orcs from Lord of the Rings. Knife is a good dude though. Great roommate. Except for the time he blacked out and left all the doors open and the lights on and woke up the next morning in my room. That was weird I guess.

AmalgamDigital.com: Have you ever seen Jeremy (of Ughh.com) get mad?

Sleezy Trees: There’s a retarded guy that comes into UGHH all the time, he rarely buys anything and always takes the free cds and stickers. Jeremy hates him with a passion. I’ve still never seen him raise his voice.

AmalgamDigital.com: Which fell off worse: Vice magazine or the Ughh.com general message board

Sleezy Trees: General messge board.

AmalgamDigital.com: Who is the biggest slut in the history of the ughh.com forums?

Sleezy Trees: Akrobatik

AmalgamDigital.com: The Pack or The Federation?

Sleezy Trees: Hmm.. The Pack definitely fell off for me. Vans = rap classic. I’m Shining = hot garbage. I’m thinking “18 Dummy” has gotten a little more of a run, as has Stunnas At Night.. THE FEDERATION.

AmalgamDigital.com: What’s next for big Trees?

Sleezy Trees: I would like to put out real legit rap records like DJ Next does but I’m thinking about going into bootlegging. I’ve already raped this rap shit for almost all it’s worth, I might as well degrade my love for the music a little more. European copyright laws here I come!!!

The Shadow Knows Artist: White Shadow Interviewer: Dru Garrity

The Shadow Knows

Interviewed by Dru Garrity 06-08-07

AmalgamDigital.com: How long have you been in the hip-hop game?

White Shadow: I’ve been into Hiphop since I heard Rappers Delight in 1980, and been part of the game as in DJ’ing and producing since about 1987 on the Norwegian scene, moved to New York in 91 and stayed a couple of years DJ’ing all the clubs there wich is how I got into the game in the US, worked on some tracks with Easy Moe Bee and cats from Dr. Dre’s production team in the UK in 98 wich unfortunately never came out, but I kept goin’, and my breaktrough came when I produced former Arsonists member D-Stroy’s number one underground Hiphop solo 12″ called “Roll Out” that came out on Matador Records in 2001.

AmalgamDigital.com: How did you get your start?

White Shadow: My dad is a musician so music was always around at the house when I was a kid, and he got me into it at a very early age, I’d say when I was about 4 or 5 is when I really started likin’ music, and especially stuff like Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and Funkadelic, but also more European Disco like Boney-M., Donna Summer, and Abba were among my favorites. A local DJ named Dave Dale who was the local superstar-DJ, along with my dad, inspired me to DJ, and after I heard Dave spin, and DJ’s on the radio from the UK, and my dad had told me what Disco’s was and what DJ’s was doin’ I got so fascinated by it I pretty much knew that I was gonna become a DJ when I grew up, much like most kids wanna become firefighters or cops, so my dad got me a turntable, and I would borrow my grandmothers’ turntable so I could have two and would play records and try out mixing. I started doing that in 1977 when I was like 7 or 8, then my mother and some other parents started a Disco for kids where I would DJ from 1980 when I was ten, ’til I was old enough to work at clubs for adults. I started doing that when I was sixteen and did it for a couple of years while practicin’ on the tables, then I entered the Norwegian DMC competition and won that in 88 and 89, went to the world finals in London, UK, fucked up because of inexperience and messed up equipment in 88, but did pretty well in 89 ending up in tenth place, but more importantly I met who was to become my manager , and she was from New York so I started sending her DJ-tapes, and she hooked me up with former Sleeping Bag Records artist Tricky Tee who used to work with Mantronix and Sam Sever, and I’d send him beats I made just cuttin’ up breaks on Turntables, and eventually got a sampler so I could make beats that way, and after about two years of that I moved to New York to work with Tricky and other MC’s, and played all the big venues and clubs at the time like The Ritz, S.O.B.’s, Sound Factory, Limelight, etc, and DJ’d a lot with the likes of Funkmaster Flex, and Clark Kent, opened up for acts like Jay-Z, Gangstarr, KRS1, Main Source, Lord Finesse, Busta Rhymes when he was with LONS,etc, and hung out at studios like D & D watchin’ Premier doin’ his thing just keepin’ quiet and learning, then after a couple of years in NYC I went back to Norway, and back to the lab. Got a SP-1200 and made a lot of beats, and started pushing them to cats overseas which lead to the D-Stroy record, and also working with Maylay Sparks, Grand Agent, and Celph Titled. From there I kept on producing and layin’ down cuts on peoples’ records and also released my EP “Back To The True School” in 2003 featuring Celph, GA, Majik Most, and some other cats, and my album “Renegades” came out in 2005 featuring the above artists plus J-Zone, Supastition, Infinito 2017, Wordsworth, and many more. I also produced the track “Narrow Grave” on the JMT presents AOTP – Torture Papers album, and did the scratches and co-produced the intro on Supastition’s “Chain Letters” album along with Illmind who is signed to G-Unit now, and I’ve kept on producing since.

AmalgamDigital.com: Who are your main influences?

White Shadow: As far as music it’s Parliament/Funkadelic, James Brown, movie-soundtracks, and just about anything good from the 70’s and early 80’s.

As far as scratching goes Grandmaster Flash, Grandmixer D.ST, Jazzy Jeff, Cash Money, and Q-Bert. And production..Marley Marl, 45 King, Paul C., Bomb-Squad, Lench Mob, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and J-Zone.

AmalgamDigital.com: Do you feel sampling has become obsolete?

White Shadow: Nah, cats are still sampling. In the mainstream some cats don’t care if they have to clear samples they just use them anyway and clear them wich is no big deal if you got money to do that. In the underground most producers just sample and don’t give a fuck.

AmalgamDigital.com: If you were stranded on a desert island with only 5 albums you could sample from what would they be?

White Shadow: One of those drums only library records. One of those sound effects only library records. An Acapella album so I could add rhymes. A DJ Battletool so I could add cuts. My own 12″ EP so I could chill the fuck out between makin’ the beats, while waiting for some young cutie that I’d need to rescue from drowning, and after that there would be no beats for a minute. (laughs)

AmalgamDigital.com: When I think of Norway, I think of Norwegian Death Metal not hip-hop. Do you think the negative press Norwegian Death Metal has gotten over the years has out shined the talent of Norwegian hip-hop?

White Shadow: Norwegian Death and Black Metal definitely put Norway on the map musically, not as much because of the music as of the extreme acts surrounding it, such as the church-burnings, and various brutal killings and suicides that was bound to make headlines, and those dudes definitely made sacrifices for their art man which was beyond anything that happened before it, but no it hasn’t really affected Hiphop here, cause Norway has a big scene of MC’s rhyming in English as well as Norwegian and several producers are doin’ good overseas and worldwide, such as Stargate who are probably the hottest R&B/Pop-producers on the planet right now working with Beyonce, Jay-Z, Nas, and many more, and they’re from Norway. When it comes to Hiphop there’s Brods, J-Rose, Soul Theory, The Nutsons, myself, and others who are doing well producing for artists from the US and Europe.

AmalgamDigital.com: Have you ever thought of mashing up hip-hop & Norwegian death metal?

White Shadow: Yeah I love Black Metal man, I go back with some of those dudes. Tormentor who used to be in Gorgoroth grew up in the same town as me, and we’re friends from back in the days. We used to do Graffiti and other Hiphop related things back then. First thing he ever did musically was make loops from Slayer albums, and I sold him my first drum-machine which was used on early Gorgoroth releases, so yeah maybe one day I’ll do some stuff with him, and I also produced a track for Bad Spit and F-Word who are MC’s from here, but quite well known in the Black Metal circuit, and I’m a big fan of Horror-movies and have been for years, so I used to trade movies with some of the Black Metal cats back in the days when Horror-movies was illegal here, and I was constantly picked on cause I was a Hiphop-head and had to hear stuff like “If your hair gets any shorter you’ll turn into a black man soon” and stuff like that (laughs), and sometimes dudes would break out knives and just throw ‘em around. Wild but fun times. I respect the Black Metal cats man, but I like the older stuff a lot better than what goes on now cause back then it was real hardcore and rebel-music, while now it’s more housebroken and tops the Pop-charts and stuff like that here. There are bands keepin’ it real now too though I heard. Don’t really follow the scene like that no more, but I like the old bands like Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone, Emperor and Ulver.

AmalgamDigital.com: I read some were you were part of Boogie Down Productions production team? How did you hook up with them & what tracks did you produce?

White Shadow: Yeah, I was part of their extended fam when I lived in New York, I DJ’d parties as the opening DJ for KRS1 sometimes, and used to hang out with his brother ICU a lot, and was a resident DJ at the club Giant Step for a while were BDP used to hang out to party, and I hooked up with Jamalski there cause he used to rock the mic all the time at the club, and he was a member of BDP at the time, so I did some scratches, and helped them mix a song on his album “Roughneck Reality” on Sony/Ruffhouse wich came out in 1993, and was the first record I was featured on. I did scratches on the track “Hangin’ Tree” wich later was used in the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie “Last Action Hero”.

AmalgamDigital.com: Who are some of your favorite artists you have worked with?

White Shadow: Supastition, Army Of The Pharaoes, Easy Moe Bee, Jamalski, Maylay Sparks, Mic Stylz, Tricky Tee, Pizdamen/Strange Brew.

AmalgamDigital.com: I first heard of you on because of the Mic Stylz – “Bringin It Back” Remix, then I heard your remix of Slaine – “Rich Man, Poor Man” Remix how did you hook up with these Boston artists?

White Shadow: Through my man Aaron Wade who does the Late Night Hype radioshow in Milwaukee and online on wmse.org, and his crew out there. They were friends of Mic Stylz so when he went to brew-town to do a show he joined them in the studio to record a song for my album called “No Sell Out” wich also became the Single/Video from the album, and Mic sent me some acapellas after that for me to do some remixes wich lead to “Bringin’ It Back” wich got some buzz in the underground, and also lead to Dru at Commonwealth Records in Boston gettin’ at me to do some remixes for them wich lead to the Slaine remix and the “Remixed & Rarities” album.

AmalgamDigital.com: What are you working on next?

White Shadow: Just finished tracks for the next Majik Most, Matlock, and Supastition releases, Kingsyze from AOTP did a couple of joints on my beats, did a joint with Reef The Lost Cauze, some scratches on joints for Tash from The Alkaholiks, King Crayon from The Longshots’ solo album..I produced three songs on that, and workin’ on my next and probably last album. I also produced the title track and others for Mic Stylz’ next mixtape “Get It G’ wan” hosted by DJ Exclusive from Aftermath/Interscope, and am doing a classics radioshow at Cyberjamz.com every Friday. I plan to step my game down in about a year or two to focus on other things in life. Thanks for the interview. Peace.

Ireland’s Rob Kelly, A Potato And A Six-Pack Artist: Rob Kelly Interviewer: Dru Garrity

Ireland’s Rob Kelly, A Potato And A Six-Pack

Interviewed by Dru Garrity 06-07-07

AmalgamDigital.com: For those who don’t know tell them who Rob Kelly is?

Rob Kelly: Rob Kelly is me, I’m an mc from Ireland and I’m myself at all times, I’m a hard worker and you are def gonna hear more from me

AmalgamDigital.com: How long have you been in the game?

Rob Kelly: I been quasi serious since 02 semi serious since 04 and fully focused since last year

AmalgamDigital.com: When people think Ireland, people usually don’t think hip-hop, how do you hope to change that?

Rob Kelly: Well initially I never thought about that I was just being myself so I naturally represent Ireland in everything I do. I use my natural accent and a lot of people are getting into it now in the USA so I guess skills speak for themselves

AmalgamDigital.com: Who are your main influences?

Rob Kelly: I guess my life is my main influence, but I’m an old schooler so I grew up on LL, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, etc but some of my favorites are Jay Z and Biggie.

AmalgamDigital.com: You won an 8mile style emcee battle and won a deal with Universal, what happened with that?

Rob Kelly: Well basically it was around time the movie was out and basically it was a bad situation so I went my own way as it wasn’t a good fit

AmalgamDigital.com: You dropped “The Kellection” mixtape in 2004 and it received some accolades, can you tell us about that?

Rob Kelly: I hooked up with Pudgee P for that he was fresh off a mixtape award and was hot at the time, I only put it out locally but it got bootlegged so heavy that it ended up all over Europe it paved the way for what I’m doing now as it made people take notice

AmalgamDigital.com: How did you hook up with DJ Flip?

Rob Kelly: Flip won the world scratching 2002 ITF championship but I think we met at my first show in 02 opening for Jeru. We are best friends but surprisingly we don’t work together that much, he is a funny bastard though

AmalgamDigital.com: One of my favorite tracks of yours is “In the Air”. What was your concept for that and who produced it?

Rob Kelly: That was Mike Donnelly from Dublin, he does 90 per cent of my songs, that’s kind of old actually we had been sitting on that for a while and it was basically me trying to combine hot lines with a flow that was advanced and just do a song that came across well at live shows which is pretty important

AmalgamDigital.com: I am from Boston and we have a large Irish population. Have you ever heard of an Irish emcee named Slaine? If so, what are your thoughts on him?

Rob Kelly: Slaine is my man, we just did a song together for my album… It’s sick I’m not going to give away the sample but basically I had an idea for a track and I gave Mr. Green (a producer we both worked with) the sample. He was like “I can get Slaine on this he would be dope on it” so I was like yeah try get him, luckily he had heard of me and we knocked it out its crazy though. He killed it

AmalgamDigital.com: Do you have any plans of dropping a CD in the states?

Rob Kelly: Well ‘bragging rights’ is available on amazon.co.uk , so USA customers can pick that up, but I have some pitches coming up soon so my aim is to swing that deal. Regardless I will be with C4 the label Frankie Krutches has in Brooklyn he has a hot record out now called “backwards” that Green Lantern did and a new tape with green so he is about to blow up

AmalgamDigital.com: What other artists do you want to work with and why?

Rob Kelly: I want desperately to work with Kardinal Offishall he has a unique style and I really would like to do something with him. I was on tour in Toronto and I like the vibe out there. Outside of hip hop I’d maybe like to work with Shane McGowan of the Pogues or Alicia Keys

AmalgamDigital.com: Do you think the internet has helped or hurt the music industry?

Rob Kelly: It has helped me so far cos people like you are on the internet on other side of the world and you are talking about my songs and I never had a release or a video. A lot of good stuff has happened to me because of MySpace so I can’t complain

AmalgamDigital.com: What are you working on next?

Rob Kelly: My album is next my debut, I’m working really hard on it so watch this space……

All The Way Live From Port Authority Artist: Marco Polo Interviewer: Dru Garrity

All The Way Live From Port Authority

Interviewed by Dru Garrity 06-07-07

AmalgamDigital.com: So how did you get the name Marco Polo?

Marco Polo: Ayatollah started calling me that as a nickname and it stuck. I figured it was real name and I’m Italian so why not roll with it.

AmalgamDigital.com: Who are your main influences?

Marco Polo: Hip Hop producers like DJ Premier, D.I.T.C., Erik Sermon, The Bomb Squad, Pete Rock… Overall though I love Stevie Wonder, The Beatles & ESG.

AmalgamDigital.com: How long have you been making beats?

Marco Polo: Since 2000 when I got my first mpc with my student loan.

AmalgamDigital.com: Your album Port Authority dropped last month, what has the response been like?

Marco Polo: The response has been amazing and overwhelming. Cats are loving the beats and rhymes. They can’t believe I got the lineup I did. It feels great to get the love back. I’m humbled.

AmalgamDigital.com: How did you manage to get so many established artists to appear on your album?

Marco Polo: Mostly networking with other artists. Bartering beats for rhymes or engineering and a little money.

AmalgamDigital.com: The “One Call” track you did for Special Teamz is one of my favorite tracks. How did you hook up with them?

Marco Polo: I got up with Edo G through my man Jayceeoh (Special Teamz DJ). I have Edo & Jaysaun on Port Authority, that’s a dope crew right there.

AmalgamDigital.com: Who was your favorite MC that you worked with for your album?

Marco Polo: No favorite but a standout was Large Professor because of his energy and love for this shit.

AmalgamDigital.com: So when do you start your tour with Masta Ace and where will take you?

Marco Polo: Mid July we head to Canada for a Canadian tour then hopefully down the west coast of the U.S. For some select dates.

AmalgamDigital.com: What do you think about the current state of Hip-Hop?

Marco Polo: Its pretty terrible. But I’d rather focus my energy on making solid music then explain why it sucks, it’s getting played out.

AmalgamDigital.com: Do you think the internet has or will destroy the music industry?

Marco Polo: It has its pro’s and con’s for sure. I hope it does destroy it though, its time for the biz to re-invent itself.

AmalgamDigital.com: What are you working on next?

Marco Polo: Working with the usual artists like BCC, Edo G, Masta Ace & up next is a new album I will produce for one MC TBA.

Modern Day DC Talk with D-Tension Artist: D-Tension Interviewer: Dru Garrity

Modern Day DC Talk with D-Tension

Interviewed by Dru Garrity 06-07-07

AmalgamDigital.com: How did you get your start in the hip-hop game?

D-Tension: God came to me in a vision after I had overdosed on Hawaiian Baby Woodrose Seeds and he said “that’s it, it’s the hip hop game”. So I did what he said and got in the game. Then the next time I saw him he said “no I said “take acid, this ain’t the same’”. I wish I heard him right the first time because Woodrose seeds AREN’T Acid and they’re not the same. Plus now I have to work with assholes in the rap game all day. it’s very annoying.

AmalgamDigital.com: Who are your main influences?

D-Tension: Run DMC, The Clash, Prince Paul, Pete Rock, De La Soul and Elvis Costello, Billy Bragg… and God.

AmalgamDigital.com: What do you use when your make beats?

D-Tension: I have a turn table and an Akai MPC 2000. Not the 200XL like everyone else. I still use the 2000 that came out for a short time before they improved it with the XL. So I am in a situation now where I need parts that are obsolete. Making beats is becoming really expensive. If anyone has Zip 100 discs or a SCSI Port Zip Drive, hit me up!

AmalgamDigital.com: How did you come up with your “Contracts & Contacts” compilation series?

D-Tension: God came to me in a vision after I had once again not been able to get a record deal. This is that 2nd visit from God where he explained that he was trying to tell me that Acid and Woodrose seeds aren’t the same. Anyway he said, and I was sober this time so I know I got it right, he said “steal Dr. Dre’s idea for The Chronic and make a record with your beats and all your boys on the mic only don’t make it gangster and don’t make it nearly as good as The Chronic” it was great advice.

AmalgamDigital.com: Urb Magazine gave you the #1 indie single in 2001 with the Encore track Ode To breaking atoms, how did it make you feel to get that type of recognition?

D-Tension: Everyone calls that song Ode To Breakin Atoms but that’s the subtitle. That song is called “It’s Time” (Ode To Breakin Atoms) What was the question? Oh it feels great when people put your record in the top 5 of the year and the other 4 are Jay Z, Nas, Missy Elliot and Edan. Think about that. It’s three major all world artists and two goofs from Boston. That’s amazing! The only problem is, MCs keep asking me for a beat like that. Like what? With a sped up vocal sample? Ain’t that played out? Didn’t Cam’ron ruin that for everyone? I make beats, some of them come out shitty, some of them are amazing. That beat has been hard to top. It makes me want to kill myself. That’s how it made me feel. Suicidal. People also try to guess the sample and they get it wrong every time! No, it’s not the Jackson 5! I even read a review once that said I used a played out Jackson 5 sample. That guy is an idiot. Clearly.

AmalgamDigital.com: You dropped “Contracts & Contacts” v2 this past year how did it differ from volume One?

D-Tension: Well Volume 2 is a double album. It’s weird , I have two fan bases. Some people prefer my beats. Some prefer my MCing. So 1/2 the people who like my beats ONLY like my beats, which is therefore only 1/4 of my overall base. So I decided to not rap on C&C 2, give the people (well 25% of the people) what they want. For the other 75% I gave them my solo album Rap Music Sucks as a bonus disc. Plus Volume 2 has videos. Volume 2 is a much more involved project. Volume 1 was me still learning the game. Volume 2 is me sick of the game. Volume 3 is going to be me at peace with myself and therefore it will probably suck. Volume 1 was just a collection of MC songs, like tru school style joints. Volume 2 was gun heavy for some reason. Even the songs that aren’t about guns mention guns, peaceful songs, nostalgic songs, most of them have guns involved. That was not planned, it just kept happening. I gave MCs beats and they rapped about guns. What can you do? The best part of that project was I proved the 25% of my fans who don’t like me on the mic are wrong. They were wrong! Wrong, wrong, wrong! Every single review and the word on the street is that Volume 2 was dope but that the real reason to get volume 2 was for the bonus disc, my solo record. That’s what I get for pandering to 1/4 of my fan base. That was dumb of me. Maybe Volume 3 will be all solo songs, just me. That would really throw people off. The one man compilation.

AmalgamDigital.com: I love the cover of your breakbeat album ‘D-Tiddy Beats, Breaks And Boobs’ are your dropping anther breakbeat album soon?

D-Tension: There is a volume 2, wax only and more boobs on the cover. Volume 2, twice the boobs. Good thing I didn’t call it volume 1.5, that would be gross. I’d have to get Nancy Reagan to pose for the cover. That would not sell.

AmalgamDigital.com: You have produced beats with the who’s who in Boston hip-hop, who is your favorite artist you worked with?

D-Tension: Well not just Boston but anyway , I have no favorites. Well I do but I ain’t saying because rappers are sensitive and I don’t want anyone’s feelings to get hurt. I will say this: Termanology has the best work ethic in the game. He brings it every time and makes a million songs a year. 1 million songs! That’s a lot of songs. That’s up there with Tupac. He had 2 million.

AmalgamDigital.com: I just saw your “Soccer Moms” video and I thought it was hilarious, do you think hip-hop lacks humor?

D-Tension: That song is serious but yes hip hop really lacks humor. I have had rappers and some fans, who are also mostly failed or aspiring rappers, tell me that hip hop “ain’t supposed to be funny”. Who the fuck made that stupid rule and when? Biz Markie doesn’t know about that rule. Eminem is funny unless the jokes on him, then he gets mad. Even if it’s Weird Al or a dog puppet. But his lines are hilarious. These days rap is so thugged out that people are afraid to smile, never mind be funny. Life is funny, fucking laugh. Rappers look so miserable now a days. Maybe it’s because they listen to modern rap music. Talk about not funny. talk about not even fun! There’s room for everyone, there is very little in life that is all serious all the time. Lighten up people. Try having fun!

AmalgamDigital.com: In fact I see you have several videos, do you think videos help or hurt an artist ?

D-Tension: Unless your video features you eating a dick I don’t think it can hurt your career. Having said that, 1/2 of these videos cats are making on their lap tops are crap. They make no sense, they look and sound like shit and they’re sloppy. They bite the same couple of concepts and the editing and acting is as horrible as the songs. There is no imagination or creativity going on. It’s like this “rapper by the pool, rapper by a car, rapper with his crew, rapper in the hood, cameo appearances, booty chicks, maybe a cop harassing a rapper AND CUT” Who gives a crap? i’ve seen it a million times. It’s boring. That’s why rappers have been coming to me to produce their videos. I have a team that can make you look good. We (Los Wunder Twins del Films) just wrapped up Esoteric’s new video and it came out amazing. And it’s not even all that funny. There’s some funny shit but it tells a story and I’m real happy with it. If you’re a rapper and you need a video and you want to do something different, not necessarily funny but creative and different, get some money together and call me.

AmalgamDigital.com: Tell me about the Los Wunder Twins Del Rap?

D-Tension: Los Wunder Twins is a super group I’m in with Effect, a dope MC from Lowell, MA. He is the first rapper who I’ve worked with who gets it the way I do. Must be in the Lowell water. He is not trying to be like everyone else, we have similar influences. I produced his early stuff and it worked so well we decided to record some songs together and that turned into the Wunder Twins project. We have an EP in stores 7/10/07 called “The We Are A Super Group EP” and we are finishing our full length album that will come with a DVD featuring all of our videos, some great out takes and most importantly a feature film. I’m talking about a real movie with a plot and actors. The movie is written and we’re shooting it this summer. That’s the next level, not videos, not songs but a fucking movie. Who’s doing that and doing it well? Just us! Effect and I both have our solo thing still going but it’s all Wunder Twins right now. He’s on Contacts Volume 2 and has an EP out on Commonwealth records. He’s the next big thing.

AmalgamDigital.com: What are you working on next?

D-Tension: C&C 3, my new solo record “Sell Cocaine To the Kids” and this movie. I’m also selling beats to a bunch of people as usual.

Beauty & The Beat Artist: Marlene of Restless Entertainment Interviewer: Dru Garrity

Marlene of Restless Entertainment – Beauty & The Beat

Interviewed by Dru Garrity 6-07-07

AmalgamDigital.com: How long have you been putting on shows in Boston?

Marlene: I held my first event under Restless Entertainment, in 2003, so 4 years.

AmalgamDigital.com: Who are your main influences?

Marlene: Hmm…my influences come from all directions. I’d have to say my top influences are my mother, my grandmother – Willie Mae- she started her own business when I was a child and showed me that if you really want to see something happen, you should get up and MAKE it happen, then I’d have to say the music scene here in New England…I’ve seen and worked with so many amazing people over the years. Being around so much talent keeps me focused and motivated…I love being a part of progression

AmalgamDigital.com: What is the hardest part of being a promoter?

Marlene: The hardest part of being a promoter, aside from the long, long hours of work that you have to put into every project, would be dealing with the egos of a lot of people. I think that some people out there have an unjustified sense of entitlement when it comes to certain things. That isn’t the proper attitude to put forward when you’re dealing with a promoter. We are offering you exposure and promotions, but we don’t OWE that to you.

AmalgamDigital.com: Do you feel being the only female promoter in Boston helps or hurts you?

Marlene: First, let me say that I am not the only female promoter in Boston. I may be the most visible to many people or one of the few professional female promoters, but there are other ladies out here doing or trying to do their thing. I will say that being one of the most visible and professional (hip hop*) promoters in Boston helps me. Being a female has little to do with it, as far as I’m concerned. Some people may not take me seriously, at first glance, before actually working with me, because I am a female. I don’t take it to heart because I know that my business is on point and I’m not just someone calling myself a promoter, looking for a place to belong in the hip-hop scene. My professionalism and dedication are the things what have helped me.

AmalgamDigital.com: Recently there have been a lot of artists complaining that other promoters in the Boston are charging the performers a fee to perform as opposed to the traditional format of promoter paying the artist to perform. What is your perspective on this issue?

Marlene: I personally do not charge artists to perform, but under certain circumstances, I can understand why one might charge. It happens in other cities as well. Some people forget that this IS a business. Shows don’t just magically happen. It takes money to design and print flyers, book a venue and properly promote an event. Aside from those costs, then you have to put together a line up that will attract people. Some acts are more popular than others. That’s just a fact. So, knowing that…if you happen to have some acts that want to be placed on a line up, but don’t really have a supportive fan base, in that case, it MAY make sense to ask them to pay a reasonable fee or do presale tickets. That way, at least you know that as a promoter, you’re not taking an L (loss*) with booking that artist / group. If an artist is expecting to be paid for an event, they should be able to guarantee that they will draw a certain amount of people to said event and then something can possibly be worked out between the artist and the promoter. Otherwise, I think people should look at it as an opportunity to gain needed exposure and build a fan base.

AmalgamDigital.com: Who are some of your favorite artist you have worked with?

Marlene: This is a very hard question to answer because I have so much love and respect for the people I have worked with. If I have to name names, I’d say Ed Rock aka Ea$y Money, NBS, Letia Larok, Slaine, G Eyez, Dre Robinson and BadNewz. I have so many more and I hate to name names because you always leave some people out. I hope those that I didn’t name know that you’re just as important to me, but we’d be here ALL day if I kept going, for real. Hahaha

AmalgamDigital.com: You recently won some awards can you tell me what they were for and how it made you feel to get some recognition?

Marlene: Well in April, The Urban Music Awards Organization named me Female Promoter of the Year, for the second year in a row. I appreciate the award and I feel blessed to have been recognized for all the work I’ve done. I just wish they’d take the female off of the title…haha.

AmalgamDigital.com: I see you are in the process of putting out your first CD, can you tell us more about the idea behind it and what artists can we expect to be featured on it?

Marlene: The cd, “We All Stars” is officially finished and will be made available soon at the UGHH store, on Huntington Ave. in Boston. The concept for this cd is a spin off from “The Beat Suite” producers’ showcases. I wanted to give the producers another platform to showcase their skills. So we asked some of the producers who participated in the first 3 “Beat Suite” events to collab with artists who were also featured in the first 3 “Beat Suite” events and the result was “We All Stars” – The Beat Suite Mixtape. The cd has production from J. Cardim, Cosmo, Nelly Protools, Gas Miles, Kerosene, WMS – The Sultan, NYDA, Raf Moses, Young Cee, Scotty B and Demo. It features DJ ON&ON, Ed Rock aka Ea$y Money, G Eyez, Badnewz, The Allies, Certified Gz, E Flash of NBS, Lady Repo, Letia Larok, Steis, Section 8, Suprano, Skyzoo, The Jacob Family and Dre Robinson. A lot of work and time went into this cd, the music is exclusive and I’m very proud of the project.

AmalgamDigital.com: You started the “Beat Suite” a showcase focused on hip hop producers. Can you tell us more about it and what led you to create this concept?

Marlene: “The Beat Suite” event and concept was something brought to life by myself and Kas of Backcourt Records. The event showcases 6 producers and usually 4 or 5 artists that work with these producers. The purpose of “The Beat Suite” is to give the producers who create the music behind the songs we love, some shine. So many times, people hear a song and the attention automatically shifts to the emcee rapping over the beat. But the producers should also be recognized for setting the stage for the actual song to even be written.

AmalgamDigital.com: Recently you did a Beat Suite and it was cancelled before it could start due to violence, can you tell us what the situation there was all about that night?

Marlene: I hate to focus on negative situations, but I’ll talk a little about what happened so that people know the truth. Basically some words were exchanged between a staff member and a guest of a producer during sound check at the event. The word exchange resulted in the guest being asked to leave the venue. From there, the situation escalated outside and the event was cancelled. This was an isolated situation and the only one that has happened, since RESTLESS ENT., first came to this venue, a year ago. No one was seriously injured and the venue is working with me now, in an attempt to maintain the great relationship that we have had up to this point. No dates have been canceled and the Beat Suite will be rescheduled for August.

AmalgamDigital.com: What are you working on next?

Marlene: I have recently joined forces with PYROTEK Management and Studios (located in Boston, near the Malden Center T Station*). We will be offering quality recording, mastering, duplication, graphic design, printing, promotional and public relation services to those artists, DJ’s and producers in need of any of these services. Contact me for info on our packages. For more info / details on any of these events, check www.myspace.com/restlessmiss